Federalism ( Class 10 CBSE Board)

Features of federalism

1. There are two or more levels (or tiers) of government. 
2. Different tiers of government govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration. 
3. The jurisdictions of the respective levels or tiers of government are specified in the constitution. 
4. The fundamental provisions of the constitution require the consent of both the levels of government. 
5.  Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and the powers of different levels of government.
6. Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified to ensure its financial autonomy.
7. The federal system thus has dual objectives: to safeguard and promote unity of the country, while at the same time accommodate regional diversity. 

Q2. State difference between unitary and Federal government.

 Answer-

Federal Government :- 

1) Under federal system there are two levels of government, one at the central level and other at the state level... Both levels have their areas of jurisdiction.

2) State govt has power of its own for which it is not answerable to central government .

3)Central govt cannot order to state govt to do something.

4)Ex: India, Belgium, USA.

Unitary Government :- 

1)In unitary form of govt either there is only one level of govt or sub units are subordinate to the central government .

2) The state govt does not have power of its own.

3) The central government can order to local government 

4) Ex:China, Sri Lank

Q3. What is difference between coming together and holding together federations?

 Answer 

 Holding Together Federation : 

 1. when a large country divides it's powers Between the constituent States & National Government is known as Holding together Federation. 

2. Central Government tends to be more powerful. 

3. Very often the different constituents units have unequal powers. 

4. Some units are guaranteed special powers. 

5. The examples of such Countries are :- India, Spain, & Belgium.

 Coming Together Federation-

1. When independent states come on there own to form a bigger unit so, that by pulling in there sovereignty, they can increase their security. 

2. All the constituent units have equal power. 

3. The example of such Countries are USA, Switzerland, and Australia.

Q4. State any two difference between Local Governments before and after Constitutional amendment 1992.

• Before the Constitutional amendment in$1992$, the Local Government was directly under the control of State Governments. 
• Local Government elections were not held on a regular basis in these areas. After the constitutional amendment in $1992$, it is constitutionally mandated to hold regular elections for Local Government bodies.
• Before 1992, Local Governments lacked in terms of power and resources. Now, State Governments are constitutionally mandated to share authority with Local Governments. But state by state, the nature of sharing differ.

Q5. Critically analyse the centre-state relations prior to 1990 and after.

For a long time, the same party ruled both at the centre and in most of the states. This meant that State governments did not exercise their rights as autonomous federal units.

In those days, the Central government would often misuse the Constitution to dismiss the State governments that were controlled by rival parties. This undermined the spirit of federalism.

(m) After 1990, there was a rise of regional parties in many states. This was also the beginning of the of Coalition Government at the centre. This led to a new culture of power sharing era and respect for the autonomy of State Governments.

Q. 6. Describe the three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union government and State government.

Ans. It contains three lists:

(i) Union List: It includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, communications and currency. They are included in this list because we need a uniform policy on these matters throughout the country.

(ii) State List: The list contains subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation. The state governments alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the state list.

(iii) Concurrent List: Includes subjects of common interest to both, the Union government as well as the State government such as education, forests, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession. Both the Union as well as State governments can make laws on the subjects mentioned in this list. If their laws conflict with each other, the law made by the Union government prevails.

Q7. Describe the importance of third-tier government in a vast country like India:

Answer.

Importance of third-tier government in India:

1.A large number of problems & issues can be solved at local level.

2.People have better knowledge of problems in their local level. They also have better ideas on where to spend money and how to manage things more efficiently.

3. Through local government they can directly participate in decision making. 

(2) It strengthens democracy at the grass root level.